Eat Like a Local
Our favorite places around Kailua-Kona and Aliʻi Drive for great coffee, breakfast, poke, sushi, cocktails and casual island dining.
— Morning Rituals
Coffee & Pastries
- Close to Home — KONA TOWN (5–15 min)
Arise Kona Bakery & Café
$
One of our favorite stops for pastries and coffee in town.
GOOD TO KNOW: Go early — the best pastries can sell out.
GOOD TO KNOW: Go early — the best pastries can sell out.
COFFEE
PASTRIES
GO EARLY
Berrybird Coffee
$
Hawaiian specialty coffee tucked inside Aliʻi Gardens Marketplace.
COFFEE
ALIʻI DRIVE
SPECIALTY COFFEE
Kona Coffee & Tea
$
A dependable Kona coffee stop featuring coffee roasted right here on the island.
CASUAL
LOCAL ROASTER
KONA COFFEE
Hico Coffee
$
A great option if you are already in town and want specialty coffee without a long sit-down stop.
CASUAL
COFFEE
QUICK STOP
— Morning Feasts
Breakfast
- Close to Home — KONA TOWN (5–15 min)
Papa Kona
$
Oceanfront breakfast and brunch with a relaxed Kona atmosphere.
OUR PICK: Fish Benedict and mimosas
OCEANFRONT
MIMOSAS
BREAKFAST
Açaí Hawaiʻi Company
$
Fresh açaí bowls for a lighter breakfast or something refreshing after a morning walk or beach visit.
AÇAÍ
LIGHT BREAKFAST
CASUAL
Journey Cafe
$
Fresh bowls and casual food when you want something good without sitting down for a long meal.
QUICK BITE
BOWLS
BREAKFAST
Big Island Grill
$
A classic local diner with generous portions and an unfussy, local atmosphere.
BIG PORTIONS
BREAKFAST
LOCAL DINER
— Casual Lunch Rituals
Lunch & Casual
- Close to Home — KONA TOWN (5–15 min)
Umeke’s
$
One of our favorite places for poke and fresh island-style seafood.
OUR PICK: Poke
LOCAL FAVORITE
SEAFOOD
POKE
Willy’s Hot Chicken
$
Casual hot chicken with a fun atmosphere and live music on select weekends.
HOT CHICKEN
CASUAL
LIVE MUSIC
Kamana Kitchen
$
A flavorful option when you are craving Indian food in Kona.
INDIAN
CASUAL
DINNER
Royal Thai Cafe
$
An easy choice for Thai food while you are in town.
Thai
TAKEOUT
CASUAL DINNER
— Evening Dining
Dinner
- Close to Home — KONA TOWN (5–15 min)
Shiono
$
A longtime Kona option for sushi and Japanese cuisine.
SUSHI
JAPANESE
DINNER
Umeke’s
$
Fresh seafood, poke and island flavors in a casual setting.
POKE
LOCAL FAVORITE
SEAFOOD
Kamana Kitchen
$
A nice change of pace from seafood when you are in the mood for Indian cuisine.
INDIAN
DINNER
CASUAL
Royal Thai Cafe
$
Thai classics and a convenient dinner option in Kona Town.
THAI
DINNER
CASUAL
— Sweet Treats
Dessert & Treats
- Close to Home — Kona Town (5–15 min)
Ululani’s Shave Ice
$
The classic Hawaiian shave-ice experience and an easy stop on a hot afternoon.
SHAVE ICE
HAWAII FAVORITE
DESSERT
Gecko Girlz Shave Ice
$
Another fun local option for shave ice in Kona.
SHAVE ICE
FAMILY FRIENDLY
LOCAL
Gypsy Gelato
$
Locally made gelato when you are craving something a little richer than shave ice.
GELATO
DESSERT
MADE ON ISLAND